New Abortion Restrictions Under Fire in Alabama, Pennsylvania

Caitlin Burke
07-12-2016

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Both Pennsylvania and Alabama are considering new restrictions on abortions.

In Alabama, new laws ban abortion clinics near schools, as well as the procedure most commonly used to end a second trimester pregnancy, effective Aug. 1.

Lawyers for the abortion providers impacted by the new restrictions are asking a federal judge to block the laws, saying they would close two of the state's busiest clinics.

"In recent years, the state of Alabama has engaged in relentless attacks on abortion rights, enacting a multitude of restrictions designed to shut down clinics and impose burdens on women seeking abortion services," ACLU lawyers wrote in their request to block the law.

In Pennsylvania, the state Senate is considering a bill that would ban elective abortion after 20 weeks.

Advocates for the measure say the 20-week limit reflects medical advances that make fetuses viable at earlier stages of pregnancy. Fourteen states currently ban abortion at 20 weeks, according the Guttmacher Institute.

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About The Author

Caitlin Burke Headshot
Caitlin
Burke

Caitlin Burke serves as National Security Correspondent and a general assignment reporter for CBN News. She has also hosted the CBN News original podcast, The Daily Rundown. Some of Caitlin’s recent stories have focused on the national security threat posed by China, America’s military strength, and vulnerabilities in the U.S. power grid. She joined CBN News in July 2010, and over the course of her career, she has had the opportunity to cover stories both domestically and abroad. Caitlin began her news career working as a production assistant in Richmond, Virginia, for the NBC affiliate WWBT
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